Friday, May 25, 2012

What, what 2 posts in one week??? Yes, it's true. Sometimes it happens. When all the stars align.

Last week, my sister described me as "green thumb" and the compliment went straight to my plant killing head. I seriously have the worst luck with plants, especially the indoor variety. BUT this year the little bed around our patio took off and it makes me happpy! The little 3" lavender that I bought from whole foods and planted last year have EXPLODED, and they are flowering! Actually they are so big that I probably need to re-space the entire bed because they are taking over our poor hydrangeas.

Last year, the blue stone patio took such a long time to put in because all the stones were different depths (some were 1/2", some were 5+"!), and we never got around to planting a ground cover in between the stones. After a bit of research this year, I decided to take the plunge, but it is making me a little crazy because it is very patchy while I wait for it to start spreading. I was tempted to buy a lot more and fill it all in at once, but seeing what happen with my exploding lavender I think I should save some money and be patient while it spreads. Any thoughts?

Prior to the patio planting, we ate up every chance we've had to enjoy it. Our cocktail hours (which sadly are pretty rare these busy days) have morphed into cocktail dinners, and instead of real meals, we have been putting together quick and simple hors d'oeuvrs like caprese salad, stuffed olives, and smoked salmon, and eating on the patio. Baby Saf is a man on the move, and he definitely prefers free roaming noshing to being strapped in a high chair...and so do we

Here's to hoping the wonderful weather will continue (DC humidity is on the prowl this week), so there will be more chances for loungey outdoor meals...and tackles...

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Since May is coming to a close, I thought it was about time to catch you up on some exciting happenings of April. One was the feature above in My Home, a shelter magazine based in Taiwan. When they contacted me about publishing my own home, I wondered if it was real. However, I decided to roll with it, and my interactions with the lovely Pei Hua Yu, the editor, was awesome! The whole experience makes me so happy. It's pretty sweet seeing our home on glossy pages, especially surrounded by some totally stunning ones like the one on the cover. Wowza! I only wish I could know what my quote says :) Any Mandarin speakers out there care to translate?

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

I used to think that life would slow down a bit once I finished a certain project, or my house was at a certain point, or my kids were at a certain stage of development, but I'm realizing now what you have all probably learned long ago. It doesn't. And what's more, that's just fine. Life is good. There is enough beauty to make it all worthwhile. This time of year, with everything in full bloom outside, I'm reinvigorated to embrace the full bloom in my own life. I'm dying to go back and shoot some recent client projects, and am sooooo excited for the current ones.... and ones about to commence too.

Until then I'll leave you with a little picture of Madds in the little oasis that is the magical neighborhood where I grew up. We went for a visit a few weeks ago with one of my sweetest friends, and it was like stepping out of time for the afternoon. These moments make going back to the fast pace totally doable.

ok and one more from my niece's princess birthday party. her mama claims that she had nothing to do with the party theme...but I happen to be her younger sister and know how deep her princess roots run (I was always the indentured servant in childhood games :). The birthday girl was beautiful and the party was a (pink) blast:

leah moss interiors llc

everyday artful living

Harmony can be struck between the everyday and the gourmet, and even a busy home has the potential to be a place of peace and inspiration. Driven by the conviction that beauty is essential AND attainable, I've made it my mission to seek out and highlight what is most beautiful, delicious, and inspiring in the everyday details.